Q&A for How to Treat Infected Piercings

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Question

How can I prepare for a piercing so it's less likely to get infected?

Karissa Sanford
Body Piercing Specialist
Karissa Sanford is the Co-owner of Make Me Holey Body Piercing, a piercing studio based in the San Francisco Bay Area that specializes in safe and friendly body piercing. Karissa has over 10 years of piercing experience and is a member of the Association of Professional Piercers (APP).

Karissa Sanford

Body Piercing Specialist

Expert Answer

Take care of your body—don't drink heavily or stay up late the night before the piercing. If you treat your body poorly right before you get a piercing, there's a chance your healing could be compromised.

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Question

What do I do if I feel a small bump in my ear around the piercing?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

The small bump might be a keloid, which is a tiny mound of scar tissue. Talk to a doctor or dermatologist about removing it, since they're difficult to treat on your own.

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Question

If my piercing is swelling 3 weeks after and I clean it 2 times a day what do I do?

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Staff Answer

If it has been swollen ever since you got it 3 weeks ago, visit a doctor to get an antibiotic prescription. If it's suddenly swelling several weeks later, it may just be a minor infection--clean it 3 times a day with saline and apply a little bit of antibiotic ointment after each cleaning until the swelling goes away.

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Question

What happens if I use iodized salt in my saline? I know I’m not supposed to but I don’t have any other salt at the moment.

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

The iodized salt is harsh on piercings and may irritate it or delay healing. The added iodine will kill germs, but also healthy new cells that are healing the piercing wound.

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Question

My lobe piercings are infected. I've cleaned them every day since I got them (about 3 months ago). Why?

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This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

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Staff Answer

Minor infections can happen at any time, even if the piercings are older or healed. It might be from germs on your hands or on a dirty pillowcase, microorganisms in swimming water, or maybe you were just run down and your immune system couldn't fight off bacteria like normal.

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Question

I have had an ear infection for almost a month and it is painful. My earring is covered in puss. I clean it but am starting to get worried. I got my ears pierced a month and two weeks ago. Now what do I do?

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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

If the infection isn't going away, visit your doctor ASAP for an antibiotic prescription. Until then, clean it 3 times a day with sterile saline and apply an antibiotic ointment to the skin around the piercing to keep the infection from spreading.

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Question

What would happen if I use peroxide?

Community Answer

Don't use peroxide. You're trying to heal the piercing. When you use peroxide, you're breaking down the flesh and skin that is trying to grow back and heal after the trauma (piercing).

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Question

Can you take out an infected piercing?

Community Answer

No! You actually have to leave the jewelry in until the infection goes away. If you take it out, the hole may close up and trap the bacteria inside of you. Leaving the jewelry in allows you to access the infection without worry about the hole closing up.

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Question

If I've had a nipple piercing for over a year that is now red and very painful, what else can I do if I've already been cleaning it with disinfectant and saltwater?

Community Answer

See your piercer, because they can assist you better than Internet. You should also visit a doctor if you think it might be the beginning of an infection.

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Question

This is day 3 of having my nipple pierced, and while I was cleaning one side, it started to bring out pus and blood. What should I do?

Community Answer

If you just got it pierced, blood and a yellow crust/puss is completely normal just for the first two weeks. Wash with warm sea salt water 3 times a day, and wash two times a day for the next couple weeks.

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Question

My ear formed some type of extra skin-looking bubble around the pierced area. What is it, and what can I do to treat it?

Tah YD

Community Answer

It probably is a hypertrophic scarring. It's common in piercings. You may stick to saline soaks twice a day. If your piercing is healed, dilute a small drop of tea tree oil in the soak. If your piercing is fresh, avoid that, since this product is rather harsh.

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Question

How do I clean an infected nipple piercing?

Community Answer

Apply warm/hot water mixed with a teaspoon of uniodized salt (kosher salt, sea salt, etc.). You can also use antibacterial soap and a little antibacterial cream to help kill the infection.

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Question

Can I take antibiotics to help with my infected nipple piercings?

Community Answer

Yes, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics if you have an infection.

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Question

I have a daith ear piercing that is red, swollen, and painful. I got it 5 weeks ago, and it's not healing. What should I do?

Community Answer

That likely means your body is rejecting the piercing. It can cause lots of scar tissue and I suggest taking it out right away. At the very least, consult your piercer and/or doctor for their recommendation.

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Question

My belly piercing is starting to turn red. I got it around a week ago and I've been using hot salt water to clean it What can I do?

Tah YD

Community Answer

Add 1/8 - 1/4 tsp of non-iodized salt (try sea salt) to 8 oz. of warm water. Clean twice a day at the most as over-cleaning it may irritate your piercing. If it does not show improvement after a day or two, contact your piercer or doctor for advice.

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Question

How do I treat my bellybutton piercing with saltwater?

Tah YD

Community Answer

You can put the water inside a small bottle or shot gloss and press it against your belly.

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Question

Can I use antibiotic cream on a navel piercing?

Community Answer

If it is infected, yes. Avoid using antibiotic creams if your piercing is not infected. Your body can "get used" to it and in case of a real infection, the cream would end up being ineffective.

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Question

How long does it take for an infected ear piercing to go away?

Community Answer

Don't wait for the infection to go away; begin treating it immediately. If the infection lasts for more than 48 hours after treatment, or if you develop a fever, see your doctor immediately.

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Question

What if I can see the jewel through my skin on my belly?

Community Answer

If you can see the jewelry through the skin, as in you can completely see where the bar is, then you should talk to your piercer. You might have a piercing that is rejecting and migrating, which could require removal. (Otherwise the piercing might push through your skin.)

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Question

What do I do if my navel ring is embedded in my skin?

Community Answer

You need to take it out; it's trying to heal into your skin and that's bad. Take it out, clean it with saline solution, and use neosporin. If you are unable to take the piercing out yourself, go to the doctor.

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Question

I think I have a cyst behind my ear, but my ears aren't healed yet. What should I do?

Community Answer

Continue to clean your piercing regularly. If the cyst does not go away or reduce in size over the next few days, consult your doctor.

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Question

I got my nipple pierced 5 days ago, and a scab keeps forming over the piercing. When I wipe it off, there's a cut slightly above the piercing hole. Is this normal?

Community Answer

Its likely you may need a bigger bar, because nipples swell when you get them pierced. Go back to your piercer if it gets worse.

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Question

How do I clean an ear piercing that has a bubble of infection around the pierced hole?

Community Answer

Pop the bubble but put alcohol on it right away. See a doctor if it fails to heal.

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Question

My nipple piercing has a tiny amount of yellow pus and a little crust around the piercing. Is this an infection?

Community Answer

If the pus is not greenish/smelly, no, it's not an infection. It's probably lymph, which is a sign of healing. Just do saline soaks 1-2 times a day with the right proportion and rinse it after. Or just rinse it in the shower and leave it alone.

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Question

How do I treat an infected piercing?

Community Answer

Clean it with warm soap and water, keep it dry and covered, and apply Neosporin.

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Question

Is it normal for upper earlobes to be red and swollen after being pierced?

Community Answer

Yes, this is just the body getting used to a hole in your ear and a foreign object in it. This happens with all piercings. You can use a cold compress to reduce swelling.

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Question

I've had my piercing a week (tragus) and it's sore and red. Is it still healing or have I developed an infection?

Community Answer

It's likely still healing. It actually takes quite a while to heal (mostly 2 months, though up to 8 months is usual).

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Question

Will I be able to remove the piercing for up to a week?

Community Answer

No, and ask your piercer, as it will depend on the piercing you have as to how long you should leave it in and when you can take it out.

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Question

I have an industrial ear pricing that is infected what should I do I have had it for about a month and a half?

Community Answer

If you've followed all the steps here to no avail, go to your doctor for antibiotics.

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Question

What can I do if my old earlobe piercing has started hurting and turned red?

Community Answer

Take the jewelry out clean the piercing good with some alcohol and try a salt water soak for your ear.

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